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Introducing two new
identity cards
Two new
1. National Identity Card
– this is for British citizens
identity cards
The card is lilac and salmon in colour. The
What are
holder’s nationality is featured, as the identity
How they work to improve security
card can be used as a passport within the
the benefits?
European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland. It can also
be issued to British subjects with the right to live in the UK.
The new identity cards are designed to help protect the public
from identity fraud and theft. They will also be useful as proof
of identification in day-to-day life.
2. Identification Card – this is for nationals
from the EEA and Switzerland who live in the
UK, as well as for those British citizens who
are subject to travel restrictions
•Travelling within the EEA and Switzerland
The card is turquoise and green in colour and
does not contain the holder’s nationality. It can be used for
•Verifying age when buying age-restricted goods
identification purposes only, and not as a travel document.
and services (such as alcohol and DVDs)
These two new cards are being launched by the IPS in November 2009.
•Signing an official document
If you have any questions about them, please visit www.ips.gov.uk/identity
•Applying for a new job (employers are required
by law to check your identity)
3. Identity Card for Foreign Nationals
– this is for non-EEA foreign nationals
•
The Identity and Passport Service
Opening a bank account
is introducing two new identity cards:
There is also an Identity Card for Foreign
Nationals, which was launched in 2008 by
the UK Border Agency. This is for non-EEA
•Applying for a mortgage or loan
•National Identity Card
foreign nationals and is being rolled out to those subject
•Identification Card
to immigration control. The card is blue and pink in colour.
Find out more about them inside.
You will find a separate guide to the use and security features
of this card on the UK Border Agency website at:
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
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What is an
The identity card’s
identity card?
security features
An identity card is a credit card sized proof of identity which holds
The identity card is designed to give greater security to the
Lens image
both biographic information (name, nationality and date and place
general public. It does this using the following features.
of birth) and biometric information (fingerprint scans, digital photo
An oval-shaped area on the
and signature).
Colour-changing ink
back of the card has a small
image of the cardholder, the
Hologram
In the card’s top left hand
Design
The face of the card resembles the
card’s expiry date and the
corner, between the words
personal details page of a passport.
The identity card has a
The background of the card
letters ‘U’ and ‘K’. If you run
‘UK’ and ‘United Kingdom’,
It also contains a secure chip on
transparent hologram of the
displays the words ‘United
your finger over it, you should
is the International Civil
Royal Coat of Arms built into
Kingdom’ surrounded by a
which all the biographic and biometric
feel that it is slightly raised from
Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
its card layers, surrounded by
set of interlocking Celtic
the surface. And if you scratch
information is stored.
symbol to show the card
the letters ‘U’ and ‘K’ with
knots. The foreground shows
it with your nail, it should make
contains a biometric chip.
radiating lines.
the four floral emblems of
a high-pitched noise.
Tilt the card to see the
the United Kingdom: the
Tilt the card to see
Tilt the card backwards
symbol change from gold
shamrock, daffodil, thistle
the hologram change.
and forwards and the
to green.
and rose.
letters will alternate.
The National
Identity Register
This same information is recorded on the National Identity
Register (NIR). It adds another level of security, allowing details
on the card to be verified by phone or online with the Identity and
Passport Service. IPS has a legal obligation to maintain a safe
and reliable NIR.
Only security-cleared IPS staff will be able to access and update
the NIR and will only do so having undertaken thorough security
checks with an individual to establish their identity.
Personal information
Each identity card costs £30 and is valid for 10 years.
Both the cardholder’s surname and the card’s expiry
date are slightly raised above the surface.
Run your finger over the raised area to make sure.
